Collecting mechanism for collating machine



Jan. 12, 1960 D. w. SMITH COLLECTING MECHANISM FOR COLLATING MACHINEFiled Sept. 27, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

DANIEL W SMITH BY M QMBA ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 12, 1960 D. w. SMITH COLLECTING MECHANISM FOR COLLATING MACHINEFiled Sept. 27, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

H wm wwqm W N L W m m D Jan. 12, 1960 D. w. SMITH 2,920,888

COLLECTING MECHANISM FOR COLLATING MACHINE Filed Sept. 27, 1956 8Sheets-Sheet 3 "A ill/Ma IN VEN TOR.

DANIEL W SMI TH A T TORNE Y5 Jan. 12, 1960 D. w. SMITH COLLECTINGMECHANISM FOR COLLATING MCI-ENE Filed Sept. 27, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 47.1L BY INVENTOR DANIEL W SMITH Jami Wm,

ATTORNEB D. w. SMITH/V," 2,920,888

. COLLECTING MECHANISM FOR COLLATINGMACHINE Filed Sept. 27.31956 8Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 12, 1960 IN VEN TOR.

DANIE L W SM 1TH ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 12, 1960 D. W. SMITH COLLECTING MECHANISM FOR COLLATING MACHINEFiled Sept. 27, 1956 Sheets-Sheet 6 QM OW A TTORNEYS Jan. 12, 1960 D. w.SMITH COLLECTING MECHANISM FOR COLLATING MACHINE Filed Sept. 27. 1956 8Sheets-Sheet '7 Dov 2 W o 7 9 a I $1 2 m INVENTOR.

DANIEL W SHITH ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 12, 1960 w. s n-H 2,920,888

COLLECTING MECHANISM FOR COLLATING MACHINE Filed Sept. 27, 1956 8Sheets$heet 8 A 214 ii a 2120 "II 206 208 INVENTOR.

DANIEL w SMITH 111754- BY 21. qiwo9m ATTORNE Y5 United States Patent()fiice 2,920,888 Patented Jan. 12, 1960 COLLECTING MECHANISM FORCOLLATING MACHINE 6 Claims. (Cl. 270-58).

This invention relates to a collating machine for :assembling sheets ofpaper, cards and the like into packet .form and in some preferred order.

In preparing the machine for operation, a number of findividuallyprinted sheets of paper are stacked in separate stations so that eachstation contains a number of identically printed pages. The order oflocation of the stations determines the order in which the sheets areassembled in packet form. The underlying principle of the invention isto dispense sheets from the various stations in timed sequence so thatseparate sheets from each station are laid one over the other insuccessive order and in registry.

With previous collating machines, there have been several operationaldifliculties involved in the dispensing of the sheets of paper fromtheir respective stations; namely, dispensing the proper quantity ofpaper, wrinkling of the paper during the dispensing, and providing thatthe dispensing devices will completely expend the paper in each station.It is one of the objects of the invention to provide a combinationdispensing device and storage means for the paper which will correctthese noted deficiencies.

The collating machine is cyclic and during each cycle a sheet of paperis dispensed from each separate storage means in timed relation withrespect to each other, and in coordination with a conveyor so thatpackets of collected sheets are formed in the order of their occurrencein the separate spaced apart storage stations. In order to accomplishthis, there must be provided an actuating mechanism for the variousdispensing devices which so coordinates the operation of these devicesthat they will be actuated in the proper sequence.

It is an object of this invention to provide a collector for a collatingmachine which receives sequentially a plurality of packets of paper andaccumulates said packets in staggered relation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a collector for acollating machine for alternately staggering a plurality of packets ofpaper and for cumulatively stacking said packets into a convenient pilefor handling.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a collectingmechanism for a collating machine which alternately guides successivepackets of paper into two different directions respectively whereby saidpackets may be stacked automatically in staggered relation.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description which proceeds with reference to the wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the collating machine with a portion ofthe guide ramp broken away to illustrate the storage and dispensingmeans;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front view looking in the direction of thearrows 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows the side of the machine opposite that of Fig. 1 andillustrates one position of the leverage operating system;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the crank portion of the leverageoperating system (shown reduced in the upper left-hand corner of Fig.3);

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view of the crank shown in Fig. 3, looking inthe direction of the-arrows 5-5 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an end view of the hood which is located at the uppermost partof the conveyor, looking in the direction of the arrows 6-6 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a side view of Fig. 6 taken on line 7-7 thereof;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view of the pressure roller and elevatorbelt assembly;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Figs; 10 and 11 are enlarged top and side views, respectively, of thestorage means for holding the paper;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on line 1212 of Fig. 10;

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are sectional views taken on the respective sectionlines in Fig. 11;

Fig. 16 is a bottom view of the dispensing device;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken on section line 17-17 of Fig. 16. 2

Figs. 18 and 19 are detail views of the leverage operating systemrotated ninety (90) degrees and one hundred eighty (180) degrees,respectively, from the position shown in Fig. 3;

Figs. 20 and 21 are sectional views taken on the indicated section linesin Fig. 18;

accompanying drawings,

Fig. 22 is an enlarged detail view of the collector shown in sideelevation and detached from the collating machine;

Figs. 23 and 24 are sectional views taken on the respective sectionlines in Fig. 22;

Fig. 25 shows the guide mechanism of the collector in one angularposition, and viewed from the right-hand side of Fig. 22;

Fig. 26 illustrates the next succeeding movement of the elements fromthe position indicated. in Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 is a sectional view illustrating the toggle spring taken on line27-27 of Fig. 26;

Fig. 28 is a detail view of the linkage for operating the collector;

Fig. 29 is a sectional view of the base of the collector taken on line29-29 of Fig. 22, and showing two packets of paper positioned on thebase of the collector;

Fig. 30 is a detail view of one angular position of the guide members,showing how the incoming packet of papers is directed into the desiredangular position with the lower lefbhand corner of the packet contactingthe tilted supporting edges at the base of the storage;

Fig. 31 is a sectional view taken on section line 31-31 of Fig. 30;

Fig. 32 is a detail view showing the extent of angular movement of theguide members in a direction opposite that shown in Fig. 30;

Fig. 33 is a sectional view taken on the indicated section line in Fig.32; and

Fig. 34 is a sectional view taken on section line 34-34 in Fig. 22.

The collating machine indicated by reference numeral 50 in Fig. 1comprises generally six subassemblies which are interrelated inoperation, as will be evident from a consideration of the functioning ofthe machine. These subassemblies are designated as a conveyor 52, paperstorage stations 54, sheet separators 56, dispensing devices 58,dispensing device actuating system 60, and collector 62. Thesubassemblies will first be considered separately and then theirintegration will become apparent from a description of collating machineoperation as a whole.

Conveyor The conveyor 52 includes an inclined ramp 64 (Fig. 9) withturned up sides 66 and 68 which are spaced apart a distanceapproximately equal to or greater than the width of the paper which isto be collected. The conveyor is supported on a base 70 and uprightbrace composed of supporting legs 202, 204.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 9, the inclined ramp 64 is split centrally andhas two longitudinally extending flanges 74 through which extend bolts76 that rotatably support pulleys 78 at spaced apart intervals along thelength of the conveyor.

At the top of the conveyor is a power take-off pulley 80. An endlessbelt 82 of rubber composition or the like is passed over the pulleys 78,the power take-off pulley 80, idler roller 83 and the power wheel 84(Figs. 1 and 2). The power wheel 84 is mounted on a shaft 86 (Fig. 2)which is driven through a speed reduction belt-andwheel combination 88by an electric motor 90 in the manner indicated in Fig. 1.

Opposing the pulleys 78, at the opposite side of belt 82, are a numberof pressure rollers 92 having a soft rubber tire 94. The pressurerollers are supported on shafts 96 (Figs. 1, 9) which are floatablyreceived in slots 98 formed in the sides 66, 68 (Figs. 8, 9) of theconveyor. This fioatable arrangement enables different thicknesses ofpackets to pass between the belt 82 and the tire 94 of the pressureroller. Each pressure roller 92 is biased toward the belt 82 by anassociated spring strap 100 (Figs. 1, 2) which also serves as a paperguide, as will become apparent from later description.

At the end of the conveyor is a guide shield 102 (Figs. 6, 7) that ispivoted at 104 and has a generally semicircular cross-section to directthe assembled packet of paper from the conveyor 52 to the collector 62.

Three spaced shafts 106 are mounted at the ends thereof (Figs. 6, 7) inrubber grommets 108 held by brackets 110 that are fastened to the shield102. The rubber grommets urge the shaft 106 and thus rollers 112, whichare rotatably mounted on the shaft, toward the belt 82. A slot 114 inthe shield permits the rollers 112 to move into contact with the endlessbelt 821.

The guide shield 102 may be swung back to the dotdash line positionindicated in Fig. 7 if the assembled packets should jam between the belt82 and the shield 102 as they move 08? theconveyor in a direction towardthe collector 62.

Storage stations Along the length of the conveyor 52 (Fig. 1) are eight(8) regularly spaced paper storage stations 54, which are supportedhorizontally and are arranged in stepped relation. Each paper storagestation is identically constructed so that detailed explanation of onewill suffice for all.

Sheet paper is stacked into piles 116 in the various stations accordingto the order of assembly. Thus, the paper stacked at the lowest stationin Fig. 1 will be the first in the order of the assembled packet, thepaper in the next higher station will become the second sheet in thepacket, and so forth on through to the eighth sheet, which is found inthe highest station.

Each paper station (Figs. 10, 11 and 12) comprises a tray 118 having asoft rubber mat 120 at the bottom thereof, two (2) sides 122, and anopen end 124. A

rectangular cutout portion 126 of the mat exposes the base 128 of thetray, and an elongated dimple 130 is formed in the exposed portion ofthe base 128 for a purpose to be explained later.

A sloping portion 132 at the rear of the tray provides a curvature inthe, sheets of paper 116 so that they will have a greater resistance tobuckling when load is imposed at'the longitudinal edges of the paper. Toprovide for different lengths of paper, there is added an ex- 4 tendibleslide 134 which is adjustably interfitted at 136 with the slopingportion 132 (Fig. 10).

The purpose of the rubber mat is to enable complete dispensing of papersheets stacked in the tray. The soft rubber mat makes it possible toentirely expend the paper from the tray down to the last sheet of paper,the mat simulating a small stack of paper.

Sheet separators The purpose of sheet separators 56 is to causewithdrawal of one sheet at a time from the stack 116 contained in thestorage station. Whatever is dispensed from each station becomes a pageof the assembled packet and so to prevent duplication of pages it isimportant to limit the dispensing from each station to single sheets.

A sheet separator is provided at each paper storage station 54 but onlyone will be described since they are all identically constructed.

Referring to Fig. 10 there is provided at one side of the tray 118 acrooked finger 138 fastened at one end to the side 122 of tray 118 andhas a rubber pad 140 at the other end which is brought into engagementwith the bent or curved portion of the stacked paper 116.

At the opposite side of the tray (Fig. 13) is an inclined rubber pad 142which forcibly engages the edges of the upper stacked sheets at the bentportions thereof. Bending the sheets increases their resistance tobuckling under the clamping load of the two pads 140 and 142.

The rubber pad 142 is mounted on a backing member 144 which is in turnfastened to a bracket 146. A canted pin 148 is passed through openings149 in the bracket 146 and openings 151 at one end of a channel shapedmember which is pivotally supported at the other end on perpendicularpin 152 (Figs. 10, 11, 14). The pin 152 is carried by the side 122 ofthe tray through a mounting bracket 154.

' A torsion spring 156 is wound around pin 152 and has an extended end158 which bears against canted pin 148, thus tending to turn the channelshaped member 150 in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 10 toforcibly engage the pad 142 with the uppermost sheets of stack 116 (Fig.13).

The net effect of the frictional engagement of pads 140 and 142 with theedges of the upper sheets is to overcome the frictional contact betweenthe uppermost sheet of the stack and the contiguous sheet so that as theuppermost sheet is dispensed it can be caused to slide over the surfaceof the contiguous sheet and separated therefrom.

Dispensing device A dispensing device 58 is provided at each storagestation 54 to dispense sheets of paper from the storage station. Thedispensing devices are all identically constructed so that the followingdetailed description of one will suffice for all.

A channel-shaped push rod 159 (Figs. 2, 12, 16, 17) is declined in thedirection toward which paper is to be dispensed. The push rod is hingemounted at one end 161 and has a pair of serrated soft rubber rollersmounted on shaft. 162 at the other end 164. A one-way, coil-springclutch 166 is wound around axle 162 (Figs. 16, 17) to lock the rollers160 against rotation during movement of the dispensing device in adispensing direction so that. the rollers 160 will push a piece of paperout of the storage station 54 and into the conveyor 52. The limit ofmovement of the dispensing device in a dispensing direction is indicatedby the dotted outline in Fig. 12, and the limit of retractile movementof the dispensing device 58 is shown in full lines.

At the very end of the dispensing device 58is a lifting roller 168(Figs. 12, 16 and 17) whichisjournalled at opposite ends in a bracket170 pivotally mounted on shaft 162. The roller 168 is displacedsufliciently from the pivot center of the bracket so that the weight ofthe roller 168 will swing the bracket 170 from the position shown inFig. 12 to the dotted position shown in Fig. 17 when the paper iscompletely expended from the tray. The roller 168 enters the dimple 130and movement of the dispensing device in the dispensing direction willpivot the bracket 170 further until end 172 engages the undersurface ofpusher 159 to thereby lift the rollers 160 out of engagement with therubber mat 120. (Note the clearance between the roller 160 and mat 120in Fig. 17.) This lifting action will prevent damage to the mat 120 androller 160 which is locked against rotation during movement in thedispensing direction, since movement of the rollers over the mat surfacewith the rollers 160 locked could scufi or tear both the rollers 160 andmat 120.

While the dispensing device is being retracted, the rollers 160 are freeto turn and thus do not disturb the position of the uppermost sheet nextto be dispensed.

Actuating system The actuating system -60 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) whichoperates the dispensing devices 58 1s motivated by power take-01f wheel80 which is driven by conveyor belt 82 (Fig. 7).

The power take-oft wheel 80 turns crankshaft 173 (Fig. 5) and crank 175(Figs. 3, 4, 18, 19) at the end thereof. The crank has a throw o-rcrankpin 177 which pivotally receives a connecting rod 179, and it willbe noted from Figs. 4 and 5 that the arm 181 which is secured to thecrankpin 177 extends outwardly to provide a pivotal drive connection 183which is angularly displaced from the crankpin 177 by ninety degrees(90) from the axis (173) of rotation of the crank 175. This ninetydegree (90) displacement of drive connection 183 and crankpin 177 ismaintained during rotation of the crank 175 since the parts are allsecured rigidly together. A second connecting rod 184a is fastened tothe drive connection 13 so that rotation of the crank 175 drives the twoconnecting rods 179 and 184a with ninety degree (90) phase displacement.

The connecting rod 18411 is operatively fastened to a first set ofrockable levers 176 (Figs. 3, 18 and 19) which are pivoted at 178 on areinforcement 179a attached to side 68 of the conveyor. The levers, itwill be noted, are alternating levers ofa leverage system.

Cross links 180 having articulated connections 182 with levers 176interconnect the levers so they are caused to move in unison andfurthermore, because of the location of the articulated connectionsrelatively to the pivots 178, the adjacent connected levers 176 arecaused to swing in opposite directions and are thereby one hundredeighty degrees (180) displaced in phase of operation.

The connecting rod 179 is operatively secured to a second set of levers184 which are pivoted at 186 and are interconnected by cross links 188having articulated connections 190 which cause the levers 184 to move inunison. The adjacent interconnected levers 1 84 are caused to move inopposite direction and are thus displaced one hundred eighty degrees(180) in operation.

During a complete cycle of operation, each of the free ends of thelevers, which is operatively secured to a pusher 159 of the dispensingdevice, is rocked from an extreme leftward position (Fig. 19), which isdesignated 0 through an upright position of ninety degrees (90), then toan extreme rightward position 180 whereupon the direction of motion isreversed to the upward position of 270 and finally to its originalposition of 360. This rocking movement of the levers is both cyclic andcontinuous.

' Referring still to Fig. 19, the successive levers of both sets oflevers are initially arranged so as to be displaced by 90 phaseincrements and in progressive order. Thus, as the lowest lever isin a 90position, the next succeeding lever is at a 360 position, the nextfollowing lever G is at 270 position, the following 0", the followingand so forth until the uppermost lever is reached.

Since each successive lever is 90 displaced in phase, each set ofinterconnected levers must be operated with 90 phase displacement. Thisis properly provided for since, as previously explained, the twoconnecting rods 179 and 184a which are connected to the respective setsare displaced by 90 according to their connection with the crankpin 177connection 183 with crank 175. The net result is that the individuallevers which are successively displaced 90 in phase and in progressiveorder are also operated cyclically while maintaining this relativedisplacement.

With this arrangement, the operation of the dispensing devices 58 iscoordinated such that sheets of paper are dispensed from the storagestations 54 in the order of their occurrence in the respective storagestations.

Furthermore, the dispensing of sheets occurs in timed relation withmovement of the conveyor belt 82 so that the dispensed sheets are laidone over the other in the order of their occurrence in successivestorage trays to make up the assembled packet.

Collector The purpose of collector 62 is to receive and store thepackets of assembled paper in such a manner that successive packets aretipped angularly, and being thus staggered it is possible toindividualize the packets without leafing through a stack of packets tofind the starting and ending sheet of each packet.

by engagement of a rubber bumper 205 mounted on the side of each guidemember with adjustable stops 207, one mounted on the outside of each ofthe support legs 202 and 204.

The guide members have guide channels 203 (Figs. 23, 24, 31) whichdetermine the attitude of the incoming packet according to the angularpositions of the guide members. Compare the positions of the guidemembers in Figs. 30 and 32.

Referring to Figs. 1, 3 and 22, there is provided a sloping base 206which supports the bottom edges of the packets, and these are formed sothat there are provided. two slightly skewedsides 208 and 210 (Figs. 32,30); which match the corners of first one packet and then the; next toestablish a staggered angularity of the packets.

An upright backing plate 212 (Figs. 1, 3, 22) having side mountingbrackets 212a (Figs. 23, 34) is slidabIy received on the upright flanges214 (Fig. 34) of base 206, and the packets are stacked thereagainst.

To change the angular position of the guide members: 192, 194 for eachsuccessive packet there is provided a. reciprocable pitman 216 (Figs.25, 26 and 28) having a cross member 219 with two spaced apart camblocks. 221 that are engageable with upwardly slanting cam followers 223fixedly secured to guide members 192 and 194, respectively.

A toggle spring 225 is used to hold the guide members 192, 194 in eitherof the angular positions shown in Fig. 26 and 32.

Spring 227 which is held at one end by fixed brace 229' and is fastenedat the other end to the cross member 219 causes the cross member toreturn to its centered position (Fig. 26) when the cam blocks 221 aremoved out of engagement with cam followers 223.

The lower end 230 (Fig. 28) of pitman 216 has a knee bend terminating ina pivotal connection 218 with rocker arm 220. Rockshaft 222 is securedto rocker arm 220 and a second rocker arm 224 is movable between theangular limits-shown in Fig. 28 by an operating lever 226v which is tiedat 226a to the lower end of lever 176 adjacent the connection withconnecting rod 184a as shown in Fig. 3 to coordinate operation of thecollector with the other mechanism of the collating machine. Also tiedin with the operating lever 226 is a pusher 228 (Figs. 3, 22, 31 and 33)which is moved against the surface of the last received packet of paperin the guide member to displace it'from the guide members 192, 194 andto also shove the backing 212 (dotted lines Fig. 22) farther away fromthe guide members 192, 194 by a distance equalling the thickness of thepacket whereby the guide members may receive asuccessive packet.

structurally, the pusher 228 comprises two spaced apart straps 231(Figs. 31, 33) which pass between the support legs-202 and 204, andguide members 192 and 194. The straps 230 are supported on the rockerarm 224 as indicated in Fig. 22. The pusher is operable in timedrelation with the guide members 192, 194, since boththe pusher 228 andguide members 192, 194-are controlled by rocker arm 224.

Operation The collating machine operation will be explained withreference to assembling sheets of paper into an eight page booklet.Sheets 1 through 8 are separately printed and are stacked into the paperstorage means 54so that the lowest tray is filled with sheets of paperwhich are page 8, the next higher tray is filled with page 7 sheets andso on in sequence to the highest tray which is filled with the last pagesheets which in this case is page 1.

The electric motor 90 is energized and the conveyor belt 82 is startedrunning to commence operation of the collating machine. The running beltoperates the dispensing device actuating system 60 and the collectormechanism 62.

Referring to Fig. 18 it will be seen that the lowest lever 176 has beenrocked angularly to its Zero degree position and in doing so has forcedthe pusher 159 connected therewith, toward the conveyor belt 82. Therollers 160, being locked against rotation when the pusher 159 moves inthis direction, frictionally drive the'uppermost sheet of paper in thelowest tray 1118 between the conveyor belt 82 and pressure roller 92.The flat springs 100 guide the movement of the dispensed sheet so it isproperly fed betweenthe pressure roller 92 and conveyor belt 82.

As the first dispensed sheet consisting of page 8 is carried upwardly,the next succeeding lever, being 90 displaced in phase, is actuated fromthe 270 position shown in Fig. 18 to a 360 position shown in Fig. 19 tocause the associated dispenser to displace the page 7 stored therein.The operation is timed so that the dispensing of page 7 synchronizeswith the arrival of page 8 from the lower level and the net result isthat both sheets are passed simultaneously through the pressure rollerand conveyor belt in exact registry. The two assembled sheets consistingof pages 8 and 7 are henceforth forwarded together.

It willbe noted that for each quarter turn of the crank 175 there is anew sheet dispensed and the sheet or sheets on the conveyor will bemoved from one station to the next adjoining station to meet theoncoming sheet undergoing the dispensing. Thus, the first quarter turnof the crank 175 from that shown in Fig. 18 to that of Fig. 19 willcausethe second station from the bottom to dispense the second sheet (page 7)in timed relation with the arrival of the previously dispensed page 8from the bottom station.

At the second quarter turn of the crank175 (figuring from the initialposition shown in Fig. 18) the dispensing device at the third stationfrom the bottom is actuated to deliver a third sheet (page 6) in timedrelation with,

the. arrivalof thepreviously assembled .sheets8 and 7.

At'the thirdquarter turn of the crank" (Fig. 3) the 81 dispensing deviceat the fourth station from the bottom is actuatedto deliver a fourthsheet (page 5) in timed relationwith the oncoming previously assembledsheets.

stacked in 8, 7, 6'order from the conveyor belt.. The process continuesin quarter cycles until the assembled packet comprising eight pagesstacked in 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 order, arrives at the top of theconveyor and the stack is then conducted to the collector 62 by theguide shield 102. Thus the packet has page 1 on top and underneathconsecutive pages 2 to 8.

Assuming that the guide members 192 and 194 are positioned as shown'inFigs. 25 and 30, the oncoming packet P (dotted line Fig. 30) will ridedown the side 203 of guide member 192 and in doing so will be tiltedangularly so that the bottom left-hand corner will be fitted into theskewed side 208 at the bottom 206.

the position in Fig. 25 to the position in Fig. 26. Thetoggle spring 227will maintain the angularity of guide members 192 and 194 as is evidentfrom comparing Figs. 25 and 26.

When the pitman 218 is moved downwardly from the position in Fig. 26,the left-hand cam block 221 moves against the left-hand cam follower223, and the downward force of the pitman 218 produces a movement aboutthe pivots 198 and 200 swinging the guides 192 and 194 to the positionshown in Fig. 32. Simultaneously the pusher straps 231 are moved fromthe position of Fig. 31 to the position shown in Fig. 33, where theydisengage the packet P fromtheguide member 192 and force the backingplate 212 away from the guide members a distance equalling the thicknessof the packet P The guide members 192 and 194, as shown in Fig. 32, arenow in position to receive the next packet P which is guided by theguide member 194 so that the lower right-hand corner of the packet P isreceived in the skewed side 210 (Fig; 29). The packet P is angularlytipped with respect to P When packet P is dispensed and the guidemembers 192 and 194 are in the position shown in Fig. 32, furtherreciprocation of the pitman 216 will bring the right-hand cam block 221downwardly into engagement with the right-hand cam follower223 whichdevelops a turning force on the guide member 194, swinging it from theposition of Fig. 32 to the position in Fig. 25. The collector 62 is nowready for packet P (not shown) which will be tipped the same as P butthe intervening P will separate the packets having the same attitude.

As described the collector 62 staggers successive packets with a slightangularity to facilitate maintaining them in the individually collectedform.

Each time that a packet is delivered to the collector 62, the pusher 228is operated to displace the backing plate 212, which ultimately travelsfrom the dotted-line position (Fig. 22) to the full-line position.

Numerous modifications and revisions will suggest themselves to thoseskilled in the art, and it is my intention to include those revisionsand modifications as embody the principles of the invention within thescope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a collating machine, a collector for the stacked sheets of paperwhich are delivered thereto in separate packets, said collectorcomprising a reciprocable operating lever responsive to operation ofsaid collating machine, a rocker arm pivotally connected to saidoperating securedto said second -rocker arnrto obtain reciprocabl'movement of said pitman, a bracket for supporting and guiding thereciprocable movement of said pitman, a cross arm on said pitman, a camblock on each end of said cross arm, means yieldably centering the crossarm in a direction transverse to said pitman, two guide arms pivotallymounted on said bracket and secured together for conjoint pivotalmovement, a toggle spring for maintaining the guide arms in either oftwo angular positions, a cam follower associated with each of the guidearms and engageable by said cam blocks alternately to shift the angularposition of said guide arms back and forth, a base located beneath saidguide arms and having two oppositely inclined surfaces one at rightangles to each of said guide arms, a supporting plate mounted on saidbase against which staggered interleaved packets are stacked, and meansfor accommodating successive packets delivered to said collector bydisplacement of said supporting plate a distance equal to the thicknessof each assembled packet of papers delivered thereto.

2. In a collating machine, a collector for the stacked sheets of paperwhich are delivered thereto in separate packets, said collectorcomprising a reciprocable operating lever responsive to operation ofsaid collating machine, a rocker arm pivotally connected to saidoperating lever, a rock shaft secured to said rocker arm, a secondrocker arm secured to said rock shaft, a pitman pivotally secured tosaid second rocker arm to obtain reciprocable movement of said pitman, abracket for supporting and guiding the reciprocable movement of saidpitman, a cross arm on said pitman, a cam block on each end of saidcross arm, means yieldably centering the cross arm in a directiontransverse to said pitman, two guide arms pivotally mounted on saidbracket and secured together for conjoint pivotal movement, a togglespring for maintaining the guide arms in either of two angularpositions, a cam follower associated with each of the guide arms andengageable by said cam blocks alternately to shift the angu lar positionof said guide arms back and forth, a base located beneath said guidearms and having two oppositely inclined surfaces, one at right angles toeach of said guide arms, a supporting plate mounted on said base againstthe inclined surface of which staggered interleaved packets are stacked,and means for accommodating successive packets delivered .to saidcollector by displacement of said supporting plate a distance equal tothe thickness of each assembled packet of papers delivered thereto, saidlast named means including a pusher arm fastened to the upper end ofsaid second rocker arm adapted to engage said supporting plate totransmit step-by-step movement thereto.

3. In a collating machine, a collector for assembled sheets of paperwhich are delivered to said collector in packet form, said collectorcomprising a supporting frame, a base having two oppositely inclinedsurfaces, 3. downwardly'inclined track, a movable packet support platemounted on said track, two angularly movable guide members which areconjointly pivoted together, one of the inclined surfaces of said baseat right angles to said guide members in each angular position of thesame, a toggle springfor maintaining said guide members in either of twoangular positions, one of said guide members serving to direct adelivered packet in one angular position to said base, the other of saidguide members serving to direct the following packet in a second angularposition to said base, whereby contiguous packets are laid over eachother in angularly staggered relation, and means for alternatelyshifting the guide members comprising a member reciprocably responsiveto operation of said collating machine, two spaced apart cam blockscarried by said reciprocable member, a cam follower on each of saidguide members, said cam blocks being alternatively engageable with saidcam followers respectively in response to reciprocation of said member,means for staggering successive packets of collected paper, and meansfor collecting packets in staggered relation.

4. For use in a collating machine, a collector for the assembled sheetsvwhich are formed in packets, said collector comprising two guide memberswhich are conjointly and pivotally mounted for reciprocal movement backand forth between two angular positions, said guide members beingarranged to successively conduct packets of paper in angularly staggeredrelation, spring means for yieldably maintaining alternatively saidguide members in said two angular positions, means for alternating theangular positions of said guide members against the resistance of saidspring means, said means including a reciprocating lever, a rocker armactuated thereby, a cam follower extending upwardly at an angle on eachguide member, cams on said rocker arm engaging first one and then theother of said cam followers to change the sideways angular position ofsaid guide members, a pusher member in alignment with said guide membersand a second rocker arm for reciprocating said guide members.

5. For use in a collating machine, a collector for the assembled sheetswhich are formed in packets, said collector comprising two guide memberswhich are conjointly and pivotally mounted for reciprocal movement backand forth between two generally vertical angular positions, said guidemembers being arranged to successively conduct packets of paper inangularly staggered relation, spring means for yieldably maintainingalternatively said guide members in said two angular positions, meansfor alternating the angular positions of said guide members against theresistance of said spring means, said means including a reciprocatinglever pivotally attached to said guide means, a rocker arm actuatedthereby, a pusher member in alignment with said guide members a base forsaid collector having oppositely disposed side ledges to alternatelyreceive staggered packets of .paper delivered thereto a pitman actuatedby said rocker arm, a second rocker arm reciprocated up and down by saidpitman, a pair of cams carried at the upper end of said second rockerarm, cam followers attached to said guide members adjacent said cams,said cam followers engaging first one and then the other of said cams tochange the sideways angular position of said guide mem bers.

6. A collector for a collating machine adapted to receive assembledsheets formed in packets, said collector comprising a pair of parallelguide members that are both pivotally mounted at their upper ends andsuspended downwardly from said pivots, said guide members reciprocalsideways about their pivots back and forth between two angularpositions, said guide members adapted to receive and successivelyconduct packets of paper in first one and then the other angularposition, a cross bar between said guide members, spring means connectedto said cross bar for maintaining said guide members in one or the otherof said angular positions, cam and cam follower means for alternatingthe angular position of said guide members against the resistance ofsaid spring member, a backing plate movable to accommodate successivepackets of paper, means operable in timed relation with the two guidemembers to bear against the last delivered packet and dislodge the samefrom the guide members and simultaneously move the backing member, apair of side rails, said backing member mounted for sliding movement onsaid side rails and a clockwise and counterclockwise reciprocating leverfor moving said backing member intermittently said last named leveractuated in cyclic relationship to said guide member movements.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re.9,755 Rheutan Jan. 14, 1881 248,564 Rheutan Oct. 11, 1881 350,505Rheutan Oct. 12, 1886 748,198 McDowell et al. Dec. 29, 1903 2,143,779Kaufman Jan. 10, 1939

